The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-06
THE 18th KENTUCKY.
Something About It's Organization In the Dark
Days OF 1861.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The history Of
the 10th KY, in which j enlisted began back
in the dark days OF kentucky, when she stood
aloof both from the North aud South While
the cry of war ran through the land Kentucky
was clothed in neutrality, backed by Gov Ma
/ Collin. While the sentiment OF Kentucky WAS
deeply pro-slavery, and her business and COM
MERGE were with the South. there was living
undercnrrent teaching of the great COM
moner," Henry Clay, which dwelt among the
people-a love aud reverence for the Union,
high above petty prejudice or party spirit.
We are told when Fort Sumter fell and the
American flag was for the first time hauled
down by American hands, Gov. Magolin in
sultlngly refused TO obey the call from Presi-
dent Lincoln for volunteers declaring that
Kentucky was no longer safe in the Union.
"She will not and ought not submit 10 the
principles and poiicy avowed by the Republican
party, but will resist TO the death If necessary"
This was the sentiment of the Chief Executive
of Kentucky when Maj. Anderson sailed from
Fort Sumter on the l3ln Of April, 1851.
ON the 18th Of April, 1861, President Lincoln
called for $4,000 volunteers for three mouths.
Under this call there were furnished 9l,sl6
men. Under the call for 500,000 men, approved
by acts of Congress July % and -, 1851, there
were furnished 057. S6S men for three years. IL
was under this call the 10th by. enlisted.
will here say, for the information Of our
brave codirades from the North who fought SO
nobly, that after the defeat OF the Federal arms
at Bull Eun, on the 2lst OF July, ii was not very
comfortable for Union man in the dark and
bloody ground" This victory for the Conted-
eracy gave fresh impetus to the secession ele-
ment, which drove the writer from home, at
which time he buckled on his armOr TO 20
and be hero; " but fear history fats TO record
the herOism. BE that as il may, il has nothing
TO do with the organization of the 10th Ky,
now in quests ion.
The men which composed the 10th KY were
from the COuH,ies of Mason Bracken, Lewis
Fleming and Whitley. The two latter are ill.,
land, the Others bordering on the Ohio River.
Co. ii, which the writer joined, was raised in
Fleming County and sworn in al Fieminsgburg
Oct. III, 1861. The following were the officers
elected: Captain, James II. HARRISON; First
Lieut., Thos. u. Burns; Second Lieut.. Henry
ID. Palmer; Oraerly-Sergt. Thomas j. Wood.
Gov. MagOilin having failed TO carry Ken
lucky out of the Union, we are told that Presi-
dent Lincoln sent 5000 muskets TO loyal Ken
tuckians in charge Of Lieut.. VIM. Nelson about
the middle Of May, 1861. After the election
then pending in Kentucky was over, all dis
gaise was thrown OF, and quickly Lieut.. Nell
son organized Camp Dick Robinson for the pro-
lection of Union men, thus saving Kentucky
from secession.
Gov. Magoflin wrote an Official letter TO Presi-
dent Lincoln urging the removal of Camp Dick
Robinson and Others from Kentucky SOIL but
the President replied that the forces were com.
posed exclusively of Kentuckians defending
their homes, and that in accordance with the
evident popular sentiment Of the State lac must
decline TO order them away.
Oct 10, 1861, my company was called into
line in the beautiful little city of FIemingsburg
for the purpose of bidding adieu 10 fond and
loving ones before taking the field. The last
farewell being said, we took upour line Of march
for Camp Kenton, a noted place in the early
history of Kentucky. We were greeted with
loud applause en- route, arriving on the tented
field late in the evening. Night closed upon
our first day in the theater of ware. l..
OvERLEy, Go. III, 10th Ky, Maysyille, KY.